Closure apparatus for tanks and the like



July 5,1949. w. A. CREWS' 2,475,562

CLOSURE APPARATUS FOR TANKS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 6, 1947 2Sheets-Sheet 1 I 641 "6! 606? 0 47 15 v a? 619 66 1i J7 J5 INVENTOR.

14/ 14? [z'azrz Q Cl fezas" Patented July 5, 1949ciiosmmsrrscuus-Fen-ranks AND THE LIKEb William-A. Crews, RiverForest-pill} Application Feliruary 6, 1947, Serial No. 726,873

(errat -6555)- Claims;

This invention relates to closure: apparatus for tanks and the-like andmoreparticularlyto such apparatus adaptedr to-use as' a part of a;system for the assurance and-insuranceofthe delivery of full measureofsome sub'stanceisuch as afluid}. avoidance of undetectable:

therethrough, the thefts and the like: i i

The disclosed closureapparatus', although havinga: variety of and withother apparatus, with dispensing apparatus of the type shown in mycopending application for United States Letters-Patent, Serial No;737,459; filed March 27, 194W".

Generally speaking, the closure apparatus for tanks and the like;disclosed herein; tofunction in conjunctionwith a connecting element,such as-a-nozzle,incorporating coacting. in terlocking means of:astru'cture andsuch that said connecting element must-be: locked: inplace relative to theclosure apparatus in order to effect the releaseof'akey or control'instruproducing flow through Furthermore; while theorkey is thus released,v shall remain locked in: closure' apparatus; On

mentality necessary for the connecting element; control instrumentalitythe: connecting element placer with respect to: the theother hand whenthe control instrumentalityis replaced to an: inaccessible positionwithin the closure apparatus, the: connecting element is ra leased forremoval.

Eromr this briet statement rel ative? to thestructure: and: operationof. my; closure apparatus,= it

may' bermore readilyunderstood? that the invention c'omprehendsthewprovision of such appa control 1 means adapted to i a sysetem forinsuring delivery of full measure" of a commodity such asaliquid:(gasoline, oilor the ratus: including:

like) tor a predetermined party, as well as forpreventing partial and"vunauthorized deliveries;

It is another object of my invention =to;pr'ovide* closureapparatusadapted to use: on refillable" which are to be filled periodicallysupply tanks or when desired by one or more authorized-sup pliers;-

Another object: of the invention is to provide: closure apparatus fortanks and thelike:which-=is= constructed and: arranged to serve as' apart of a system effecting supervision of each filling: oper-'- ationwithout the necessity of the actual presence of an. observerto-accomplish -such super vision;

As another object, my; invention comprehends adaptations and usesinitself is well suited to use adapted arrangement the provision of}closure apparatusfor tanks 7 and the likewhichi embodies a was mechanismfor flow connection to the apparatus, which flow connection may bebroken only'upon'the replacement of the control instrumentalit'y.

other obj ect's and: advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe following description and t'he accom'painyingdtawings in whichsimilar characters of re'ference indicat'e similar parts throughouttheseve'ral": views;

Referring to the: drawings of which there are two sheets Figs. 1 and2:are perspective views of a preferred form of myclosure apparatus fortanks and: the: like: which' respectively indicate the ap-- paratus inclosedand open positions;

Fig; 3- is an end sectional view wherein the section is takensubstantially ona line 3 4 of Fig; 2: i

Fig; 4 a: top sectional view with the section takens'ubstannauyon a1ine4-4 of Fig: 5 and Fig; 5 15; a; side'sectio'naL view'in which the sectionis taken substantially'on a line 5-5 of Fig. 4. a

In the exemplary? embodiment of my invention which is shown in theaccompanying drawings for illustrative purposes, myclosure apparatus isde'picte'das' a uiiitarystructure:having a housing [0, which housingdesirably includes inner and: outer shells IT and I3 respectively. Theinnerfsh'ell pro'vides abottom wall M, a side wall I 5 anen'd: wall" I6; and a longitudinal partitioning wall l1. ljesir'ably'th'e bottomavallis provided with an outlet' por t 18 adjacent which and extending.outwardlyis: an integrally formed collar l9 adaptedtube-securedtoa-conduit 20 or the" like. which connects toa refillable supply tank.Lugs "22'and 23 projectingfrorn the outer surfaces of collar I9 andconduit 2 0 respectively and having openihg'sJ-A and;25"therethrough maybe providedior locking: oris'ealing the closure a'ppara'tus to: theconduit so as 'to prevent its removalby ail-unauthorized person.

It is also by: preference: thatia substantially ringelilse collar2"6'-is integrally formed at the top and mean one end of;thelongitudinal partitioning wall! I; ,said col-lar having ace'ntralaperture 2-1-therethjroi1gh-on the same side of: the partitioningsiwallIT as the outle tport l8" to servetudinally along the side ofthe'partitioning wall i1 opposite the flow chamber 32 which is formed bythe inner shell.

For sealing and closing the apparatus and the tank entrance betweenfilling operations, a suitable cap 33 (Fig. 1) is fastened to theprojecting upper end of the collar 26, as by being thread ed thereon. H

In a system of which the disclosed apparatus may comprise a part, it isproposed that the supply source from which a tank on which the disclosedapparatus is to be utilized shall be equipped with a keyed nozzleadaptedto fit and coact with the disclosed. apparatus to effect the release ofan individualized control element such as a key 34 (Fig. 2). The key 34,as desired, or as the complicity of the system warrants, may or may nothave data such as the name and address of an individual embossed thereonso as to serve as a printing die in a registering meter on thedispensing apparatus. Whether or not the key is individualized to theextent of having data embossed thereon for printing purposes, it isdesirable that it shall be individualized to the extent of having someportion thereof keyed to fit the meter of the dispensing apparatus. Inthe disclosed apparatus and particularly as depicted in Fig. '2, one endportion of the key 34 is provided with notches or corrugations which areadapted to effect the keying function.

The key 34, in one system of use, remains locked within the compartment33 of the disclosed ap paratus when that apparatus is not in use forfilling the tank or container with which it is used. \')n the otherhand, when the tank or container to be filled. a keyed nozzle such as 28is inmerted into the filling aperture 21 and effects the release of thekey 34. In effecting the release of the key, for the proposed system,the nozzle 28 is locked in place in the filling aperture 21 so that itcannot be removed therefrom until the key is replaced and restored toits normal position within the compartment 30 of the apparatus. With thekey 34 thus released, it is free and adapted for use in effecting therelease of fiow through a dispensing nozzle from which the tank is to befilled. From this discussion it may be'readily appreciated that byhaving the nozzle locked into the disclosed apparatus during thedispensing operation and by utilizing the key 34 to eifect the releaseof flow through the dispensing nozzle, the user of the disclosedapparatus is assured of obtaining full measure since the nozzle cannotbe removed during the dispensing operation and the dispensing apparatuscannot be utilized withoutthe key.

Although various types and'forms of mechanisms may be utilized foraccomplishing the locking of the nozzle and the release of the key, Ihave disclosed herein one form of such mechanism which is suited tothepurpose. A key-carrying slide 36 is supported for linear movementlongitudinally of the compartment 30 by a pair of channel type tracks31' and 38 disposed in opposed and substantially parallel relationshipwithin the compartment 30 and extending inwardly from positions adjacenta front opening 39 in the outer shell I3. Both tracks are secured to andsupported by the outer shell. At its outer end the slide 36 has an endportion 40 which fits and provides a closure for the opening 33 when theslide is in a retracted position inside the compartment. Resilient meanssuch as a tension spring 42 having one end anchored to a lug 43 on theinterior of the compartment and its other end anchored to a bracket 44on the lower surface of the slide biases the slide to an extendedposition wherein it projects from the front of the housing,substantially as depicted in Fig. 2. The retracted or closed position ofthe slide is indicated in Figs. 1, 4 and 5.

In my disclosed structure the key 34 has flanged end portions 45 and 46substantially parallel to and offset from the body portion of the key byintegrally formed shoulder portions 41 and 48 respectively. With a keyof the type and form disclosed it may be conveniently carried in a fixedposition on the slide 35 by placement in an aperture 49 in that slidewhich fits the body portion of the key so that the flanged end portions45 and 46 overlie and project above the upper surface of the slide. Theposition of the keycarrying aperture 49 is such that the key is entirelyenclosed in an inaccessible position within the compartment 30 when theslide is in the retracted position and is exposed to provide access forthe removal of the slide when it is in the extended position.

Normally the slide 35 is held in the retracted position against thebiasing force of the spring 42 by a latch mechanism 50 which includes apawl 52 carried for limited rotational movement by a bracket 53 securedto the upper surface of the Slide near the inner end thereof. The pawl52 has a notched end adapted to latching engagement with a stationarycatch 54 secured to the inner surface ofthe outer shell in substantialalignment with the pawl longitudinally of the slide. By preference aspring 55 having one end connected to the pawl and its other endanchored to the slide is utilized to bias the pawl toward a latchingposition. Thus, when the slide is manually pushed into its retractedposition, the pawl 52 is cammed over the end of the catch 54 and movesinto latching engagement therewith to retain the slide in that retractedposition until the pawl is disengaged from the catch.

In the disclosed embodiment of my invention, the disengagement of thepawl 52 from the catch 54 thereby to effect release of the slide 36,isaccomplished by the insertion of a keyed nozzle such as 28 into thecomplementarily keyed aperture 21 of the collar 26. As an exemplary formof keying for the nozzle and collar, lugs 56 and 51 are formed on theouter surface of the nozzle and project outwardly therefrom atpredetermined fixed positions. Complementary axial slots 58 and 59 arecut in the inner surface of the collar 26 so as to open into theaperture 21 at positions for receiving the lugs 56 and 5! respectivelyon the nozzle. At a predetermined depth below the top of the collar 23the axial slots open into and are joined by oppositely disposedcircumferential channels 60 and 62 so that when the nozzle is insertedto a predetermined depth into the aperture 21 of the'collar, the lugs 55and 5'! act as stops for the axial movement and the nozzle may be turnedwith the lugs 56 and 51 moving along the circumferential channels 60 and62. One of the channels, and in the pres- I out instance thechannelGm'terminatesat a 2,475, sea

predetermined position for providing. a stopfor the circumferential.movementxof the nozzle.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4; a crank type lever 63 is mounted forrotational movement in an axial bore 6 1 displaced to onesideof thekeyed aperture 21. One end .of the lever 63 extends outwardly from thecollar and into the chamber 36 while the other end is disposed within arecess adjoining the aperture :21" and open .to the end of the channel.62. When the nozzle 28 is turned to a positiontsuch that the lug 56engages the end of the channelifill, the lug 51 engages the end of thelever 63 tomove it from its normal position shown in Fig. 4.

The outwardly extending end of the lever 63 engages a hooked end 66 :ofa linearly movable slide bar 61 whichslide 'bar issupported for linearmovement by a bracket 68 secured to the top of the outer shell t3 nearthe collar 26 and a fulcrumed lever 69 supported ;by:.a pin 10 from abracket 12. Stop lugs 73 on" the surface :of the slide bar 61 engage thesurface of the lever 69 so that movement of the slide bar toward thatlever effects a resultantwswinging movement of the lever. The end of thelever 69 opposite the slide bar 61 engages a projecting end of the pawl52 whereby the actuated movement of the lever 69 moves the pawl .52 to.disengage that -pawl from the catch 54, releasing the slide for outwardmovement to the extendedposition. It may now be readily understood thatthe turning movement of the nozzle following its insertion into thekeyed aperture 2? results in :the release of the slide and its movementtothe extended position in which the key 3-4 is available. It may alsobe readily understood that as long as :the nozzle is in the position towhich it is turned to effect such release of the slide, the lever 69 isheld in position such-that it will not permit the pawl to latch with thecatch54 so as to .hold the slide in a retracted position. However; afterslight movement of the nozzle toward a position for removal, the pawlmay move to aslideretaining position.

Another function of the disclosed apparatus is to lock the nozzle 28 inplace inthe keyed aperture 21 of the collar 26 when the keyis releasedfor access and to maintain that looked relationship as long as the .keyhas not returned to its predetermined normal position on the slide 36.

Although there are. various-ways in which the nozzle might be lockedingplace. relative to the collar 26, in the present structure the nozzleis diametrically drilled to provide opposed bores M and 75 thereinwhichwalign with diametrically opposed bores :16 and I7; respectively inthe collar 26 when the nozzle is turned to itsfully inserted andkey-releasingposition within the keyed aperture 21.

As shown inFiguzl, a plunger rod 18 normally has one end disposed forlinear movement in the bore TI on one side of the .collar 26 with itsend retractedrtc a position such that i'tdoes not interfere with theinsertionofthe nozzles The other end of the plunger rod .is supportedfor linear movement by a tubular bearing :19 carried from theouter-shell 13. *by bracketssuch as. and 82. A collar "near themid-portion of the plunger rod 18 carriesa laterally projecting rod 83which at its outerend hasranangle-like actuating bar .84 movablyconnected thereto by means such as a .pin 85. A dependingend B6 of theactuating bar :84 :is normally disposed in position for engagementwiththe shoulder ,4! of the key 34 and engages thatxshoulder. when thekey is in plac'etand thefslide is in the retracted 6 the slide movesoutwardly, the shoulder t! of the key moves with it the actuating bar 84and the plunger rod I8, so that the plunger rod is moved to a positionin which it extends through the aligned bores M and id in the nozzle andinto the bores on both sides of the collar 26. This locks the nozzle inplace so that it can neither be removed nor turned from its lockedposition.

The depending end 66 of the actuating bar 84 has secured thereto alaterally projecting strip 8? which normally rides along the uppersurface of a cam plate 88 carried within the chamber 3% from an outerwall of the outer shell. The cam 88 thus controls the elevation of thedepending end of the actuating bar 84. Alongthe mid-portion of the camthe elevation is maintained at a position such that the depending end ofthe actuating bar has firm engagement with the shoulder of the key butis normally above the upper surface of the slide. Hence, movements ofthe slide when the key is removed therefrom, do not actuate theactuating bar when that bar is in any position along the cam flii.

At its ends the cam 88 has portions 8d and $19 which slope upwardly awayfrom the surface of the slide. Those upwardly sloping cam portions areof sufficient height that they move the actuating bar upwardly about theaxis of the pin to a height sufficient to clear the upper surface of thekey. The cam portion 89 is disposed in a position such that iteffeetsdisengagement oi the actuating bar from the shoulder '31 of the keyafter the plunger rod 78 has been moved to its locking position andbefore thekey has completely emerged from the chamber 3d of the housing.

In order to assist the action of the end portion 853 of the cam inefiecting release of the shoulder d! of the key from the depending endof the actuating bar, a compression spring 92 is mounted on the plungerrod adjacent one end of an enlarged portion 93 on the rod, which springis of a length such that it engages the-outer surface of the collar 26to move the plunger rod back a position. Thus, as

, short distance when the depending end of the actuating bar is releasedfrom the shoulder ll of the key. The plunger rod and its actuating barremain in the locking position until the slide carrying the key M ismanually moved toward its retracted position against the force of thespring $2. With the key in place, movement of the slide with the keytherein from its fully 631-- tended position toward the retractedposition effects engagement of the depending end of the actuating barwith the inner end surface of the key; it being recalled that the spring92 has moved the plunger rod and its actuating har back to a position inwhich the laterally projecting strip 37 on the actuating bar is of theupwardly curved portion 89 of the cam. Whenthe depending end of theactuating is engaged by the end surface of the key, the inward movementof the slide retracts the plunger rod 78 to a position in which thenozzle is dis-- engaged. Upon effecting such actuation of the plungerrod to a retracted position, a spring 9 3 on the plunger rod at theother end of the enlarged portion 93 of the rod engages the end of thebearing is at the time the cam portion {iii effects the release of thedepending end of the actuating bar from the end surface of the key. Uponsuch release, the spring 94 moves the plunger rod and the actuating barto a position in which the dependingend of the actuating bar. isagainengaged. by the shoulder 41 of the key. The

nozzle may then be removed, upon the commencement of which motion thelatch mechanism 50 is freed to lock the slide in its retracted position.

From the foregoing descri tion of the illustrated structure and itsoperation it may be readily understood that a properly keyed nozzle isrequired to effect the release of the slide and key although a tank orthe like with which the apparatus is used may be filled from any nozzlewhich will fit into the keyed aperture 21. The introduction of aproperly keyed nozzle into the keyed aperture of the collar 26 effectsthe release of the key-carrying slide 36, the outward movement of whichslide automatically operates a locking mechanism to secure the nozzle inplace. While the key 34 is removed from the slide, the slid-e may bemanually moved back and forth between its retracted and extendedpositions but it is preevnted from being locked in the retractedposition and the slide along, without the key, has no effect upon thelocking mechanism which holds the nozzle in place. When the key isremoved from the slide, it may be used to effect the release of adispensing valve or mechanism and may even be used to print thedesignated customers name on the receipt when used in the dispensingmechanism. After being returned to its position in the slide, the keyactuates the locking mechanism upon the return movement of the slide tothe retracted position to release the locked nozzle, whereupon the slidemay be locked in its retracted position. It is to be noted that thedepending end of the plunger rod actuating bar 84 is moved to a positionof re-engagement with the shoulder 41 of the key as soon as the plungerrod is retracted from the nozzle so that any subsequent outward movementof the slide will relock the nozzle.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, manymodifications may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details ofconstruction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes withinthe'scope of the appended claims.

Hasing thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. Closure apparatus for tanks and the like adapted to use with a keyednozzle and comprising, in combination, a housing having inlet and outletports therein, said housing being open to flow between the ports andhaving partitioning means therein providing a compartment segregatedfrom the flow between the ports, and said housing having an openingtherein at one end of the compartment, collar means secured, to saidhousing at the intake port and providing a keyed aperture adapted toreceive the keyed nozzle, means on the housing at the outlet port forlooking the housing to a conduit, opposed tracks carried within saidcompartment in substantial alignment with said opening, a slideextending through said opening and carried by said tracks for linearmovement between a retracted position in the housing and an extendedposition projecting from the exterior of the housing, said slide havingmeans on the outer end thereof for closing said opening when the slideis in the re tracted position and having a key-carrying aperturetherein, a key carried in said aperture and having portions spacedlongitudinally of the slide which project above the surface of theslide, resilient means for biasing the slide to the extended position,releasable latch means for holding the slide in the retracted position,means adapted to be actuatedb'y movement of the keyed nozzle into placein the keyed aperture of said collar means for effecting release of saidlatch means, and means actuated by one of said portions of the keyduring movement of the slide to the extended position for locking thenozzle in place in the keyed aperture of said collar means.

2. Closure apparatus for tanks and the like adapted to use with a keyednozzle and comprising, in combination, a housing having walls andprovided with inlet and outlet ports, said housing being open to flowbetween the ports and having partitioning means therein providing acompartment segregated from the flow between the ports, and said housinghaving an opening in one of said walls opening into said compartment,collar means secured to said housing at the intake port and providing akeyed aperture adapted to receive the keyed nozzle, opposed tracksextending into said compartment from positions adjacent said opening, aslide extending through said opening and carried by said tracks forlinear movement between a retracted position in the compartment and anextended position projecting from the housing, said slide having meanson the outer end thereof for closing said opening when the slide is inthe retracted position and having a key-carrying aperture therein, a keycarried in said aperture and having a portion projecting from thesurface of the slide, resilient means for biasing the slide to theextended position, releasable latch means for holding the slide in theretracted position, means adapted to be actuated by movement of thekeyed nozzle into place in the keyed aperture of said collar means foreffecting release of said latch means, means actuated by said projectingportion of the key during movement of the slide to the extended positionfor locking the nozzle in place in the keyed aperture of said collarmeans, and means for effecting release of the last mentioned means fromsaid projecting portion of the key at a predetermined position in theoutward movement of the slide.

3. Closure apparatus for tanks and the like adapted to use with a keyednozzle and comprising, in combination, a housing having walls andprovided with inlet and outlet ports, said housing being open to flowbetween the ports and having partitioning means therein providing acompartment segregated from the flow between the ports, and said housinghaving an opening in one of said walls opening into said compartment,collar means secured to said housing at the intake port and providing akeyed aperture adapted to receive the keyed nozzle, opposed tracksextending into said compartment from positions adjacent said opening, aslide extending through said opening and carried by said tracks forlinear movement between a retracted position in the housing and anextended position projecting from the housing, said slide having meanson the outer end thereof for closing said opening when the slide is inthe retracted position and having a key-carrying aperture therein at aposition such that it moves to the exterior of the housing when theslide moves to the extended position, a key carried in said aperture andhaving a portion projecting from the surface of the slide, resilientmeans for biasing the slide to the extended position, releasable latchmeans for holding the slide in the retracted position, means adapted tobe actuated by movement of the keyed nozzle into place in the keyedaperture of said collar means for effecting release of said latch means,mova- -9 blemeans' actuated by's'aid ing movement of the slide tothe-extended posi tion forlocking the nozzle in place in the keyedaperture of said collar means while the slide is in the extendedposition, means for effecting releaseofsaidmovable means from saidportion of the key at a predetermined position in the outward movementof the slide, and said movable means being actuated by said portion ofthe key during inward movement of the slide to the retractecl positionfor effecting release of the nozzle lock. I

4. Closure means for tanks and the like as defined in claim 3 whereinsaid latch means is retained in a position for efiecting release of theslide until said nozzle lock is released.

5. Closure apparatus for tanks and the like adapted to use with a keyednozzle and comprising, in combination, means having an inlet port, saidmeans being open to flow through the inlet port and having an openingtherein displaced from said port, collar means secured to said means atthe intake port and providing a keyed aperture adapted to receive thekeyed nozzle, movable means extending through said opening and movablebetween a retracted position within the first mentioned means and anextended position projecting from the exterior of the fi st mentionedmeans, said movable means having means thereon for closing said openingwhen the movable means is in the retracted position and having akey-carrying aperture therein at a position such that it is exposed whenthe movable means is in the extended position, a key carried in saidaperture and having a portion projecting from the surface of the movablemeans, resilient means for biasing the movable means to the extendedposition, releasable latch means for holding the movable means in theretracted position, means adapted nozzle into place in the keyedaperture of said collar means for effecting release of said latch means,and means actuated by said portion of the key during movement of themovable means to the extended position for locking the nozzle in placein the keyed aperture of said collar means.

6. Closure apparatus for tanks and the like adapted to use with a nozzleand comprising, in combination, means having an inlet port, said meansbeing open to flow through the inlet port and having an opening thereindisplaced from said port, collar means at the intake port and providingan aperture adapted to receive the nozale, movable means supportedadjacent said opening for movements between a retracted position withinthe first mentioned means and an extendad position projecting from thefirst mentioned neans, said movable means having means therein forclosing said opening when the movable means is in the retracted positionand having a :ey-carrying aperture therein at a position such bet it isexposed when the movable means is in he extended position, a key carriedin said aperure and having a portion projecting from the uriace of themovable means, means for biasing he movable means to the extendedposition, reeasable latch means for holding the movable deans in theretracted position, means adapted o be actuated by movement of thenozzle into lace in the aperture of said collar means for efectingrelease of said latch means, and means ctuated by said portion of thekey during move- 1ent of the movable means to the extended potion forlocking the nozzle in place in said aperire of the collar means.

portion of the key durto be actuated by movement of the keyed s *7. In"closure apparatus "for tanks and the like adapted to use with a controlinstrumentality and a dispensing nozzle and comprising, in combination,means providing a nozzle-receiving port, a housing adjoining said meansand having an opening therein displaced from said port, movable meanssupported adjaoentsaid' opening for movements between a retractedposition substantially within the housing an'dan'extended positionprojecting outwardly of said openin in the housing, saidmovablemeansproviding ax'closure for said opening when in theretractedpositi'on and providing means for releasably carrying;afcontrol instrumentality at a fixed position such that it is enclosedwhen the movable means is in the retracted position and exposed when themovable means is in the extended position, means for biasing the movablemeans to one of said positions, releasable latch means for retaining themovable means in the other of said positions, a movable supportedelementhaving a portion extending into said housing and a portion in positionfor engagement by said nozzle, means interconnecting said element andsaid latch means to eifect release of the latch means when the nozzle isseated in said port, and means having a portion in position foractuation by said control instrumentality during movement of the movablemeans from one position to the other, the last mentioned means includinga nozzle-locking part for locking the nozzle in the port when themovable means is in one of said positions.

8. In closure apparatus for tanks and the like adapted to use with acontrol instrumentality and a dispensing nozzle and comprising, incombination, means providing a nozzle-receiving port, a housingadjoining said means and having an opening therein displaced from saidport, movable means supported adjacent said opening for movementsbetween a retracted position substantially within the housing and anextended position projecting outwardly of said opening in the housing,said movable means providing a closure for said opening when in theretracted position and providing means for releasably carryin a controlinstrumentality at a fixed position such that it is enclosed when themovable means is in the retracted position and exposed when the mov ablemeans is in the extended position, means for biasing the movable meansto one of said positions, releasable latch means for retaining themovable means in the other of said positions, a movably supportedelement having a portion extending into said housing and a portion inposition for engagement by said nozzle, and means interconnecting saidelement and said latch means to efiect release of the latch means whenthe nozzle is seated in said port.

9. In closure apparatus for tanks and the like and adapted to use witha, keyed connecting element and as a part of a system utilizing anindividualized control instrumentality, the combination comprising,means providing a flow connection for a connecting element, a housingadjoining said means for normally retaining the control instrumentalityand having an opening therein through which the control instrumentalityis accessible, movable means for closing said opening, locking means forholding the movable means in a closing position relative to saidopening, and a movable element supported relative to the first mentionedmeans in position for actuation by the keyed connecting element forcontrolling said locking means.

10. In closure apparatus for tanks and the like 11 12 and adapted to usewith a keyed connecting eleconnecting element, in place relative to thefirst ment and as a, part of a system utilizing an indimentioned means.vidualized control instrumentality, the combina- 7 WILLIAM A. CREWS.tion comprising, means providing a flow connection for a connectingelement, a housing adioin- 5 REFERENCES CITED ing said means fornormally retaining thecontrol Thef'fono'wmg referents/es are of recordin the instrumentality and having an opening therein file of thispatent; through which the control instrumentality is accessible, movablemeans for closing said opening, UNITED STATES PATENTS locking means forholding the movable means in 10 Number Name Date a closing positionrelative to said opening, and a, 535,330 d n M r, 19, 1395 movableelement actuated by said movable means 641,846 Davenport et a1. Jan. 23,1900 and including a loo-king element for holding the

